At the dawn of the Republic (the years right after 1911), in a small crossroads town, Lei Er/Thunderchild (Yang Zi) was born with supernatural powers and has always vowed to become a female biao shi (a biao shi is someone tasked with transporting goods within China, who must have martial arts skills to safeguard the goods from bandits on the road – imagine an old school Fed Ex). But the gods seem to want to thwart her, and her road to becoming a biao shi is fraught with considerable obstacles.

Xiao WuKui (Jo Hyun Jae) is the son of the owner of the Xin Yi Biao Ju 信义镖局 (a biao shi works for a biao ju, which means transportation company) and was born on the same day as Lei Er/Thunderchild. But he was born with a weak constitution so he cannot learn any martial arts skills.

Ou Lang/Dumb Wolf/Wolfman, a bandit leader, is enchanted by Lei Er’s/Thundechild's optimism and kindness and pursues her, except Lei Er/Thunderchild only has eyes for WuKui. But WuKui, who loves learning about Western culture, has a crush on the aloof and haughty Ya Ge Ge (a Ge Ge is the Qing Dynasty title for a princess of the royal family). The four youngsters will find their lives intertwined because of a threat to the Xin Yi Baio Ju (信义镖局) and a secret treasure map.

The legendary treasure map attracts the attention of a former Lord of the Qing Dynasty who possess a key, a blind eunuch who survived the end of the Qing Dynasty and is the only one who knows the secrets of the map, a police captain, and so on and so forth, everyone desiring to possess this map. Their arrival throws the little town into a state of upheaval.

With everyone harboring their own agenda and wanting to find the treasure, to protect the goods entrusted to them, Lei Er/Thunderchild and WuKui find themselves caught up in this maelstrom. When the treasure is finally found after a considerable effort, it turns out the treasure is not gold and jewels.....

CHARACTER NAMES/DESCRIPTION/PICTURES:

MAIN CAST:

Xiao WuKui played by Jo Hyun Jae. Born physically weak so cannot practice kung fu, but extremely intelligent that he can outwit his enemies. Son and heir of the owner of the Xin Yi Biao Ju. Lei Er/Thunderchild played by Yang Zi. In love with WuKui and dreams of being a female biao shi/escort.

Ya Ge Ge played by Chen ZiYan. Cold and distant, a former princess in the QIng Dynasty. The object of WuKui's affection.

Ou Lang/Dumb Wolf/Wolfman played by Wang JinDou. A bandit leader who is in love with Thunderchild.

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KR started filming in China last August 10. Tweets and photos from KR cast and crew for Filming Days 1-48 can be viewed at JHJ's Soompi Thread; for your convenience I posted a link to those pages on NAVIGATION POST 1 of this thread. Tweets and photos for Filming Day 49 onwards can be found in this thread.

Explanation about the English title of our drama: The official English title of this drama is KING ROUGE. It is the English title that appears on the drama's Official Poster. The Official Poster was released only during the Press Conference last October 18; before October 18, the drama is known among English-speaking fans as ROUGE OVERLORD (RO) or ROUGE HEGEMON (RH) - these are the literal translation of the Chinese title. Please feel free to use any of the 3 titles if/when you post anything in this thread.

For myself I will use KING ROUGE (KR) when I post anything in this thread or in JHJ's Soompi Thread; but I will no longer edit my posts prior to October 18 where I used ROUGE OVERLORD or RO.

Please feel free to post KR-related stuff, just don't forget to provide English translations . Don't be shy either to post KR-related questions/opinions.

Btw, the tweets are spoiler-heavy so if you don't want to be spoiled don't read the tweets, just look at the pictures.

Hope you will not suffer any injuries; also hope you’ll stay in good health in the intense heat.

After “49 Days” is over, you want to know about my present situation and my next project. I’ve been recruited to do a Chinese project, and I’ve decided to take it up after a lot of thought.

As an actor, coming into contact with other countries and their production environment as well as working with other actors is a rare opportunity. Although I am a little wary about leaving Korea for a period of time, with all the difficulties of differences in language and culture, I feel this is something challenging and lucky for me.

Although I am inadequate, I would like to say I feel like representing my country, so I will do my best.

In the next few months, I will be filming in good health in China and I will send you news.

When I return, I’ll again take on another good Korean project. Until then, please stay healthy, everyone!

Many thanks for your continued love and support. Wish you all blessings forever!!

ROUGE OVERLORD is staffed by the same team that produced 还珠格格 “My Fair Princess” I & II – their comeback drama after 10 years’ silence. Famous Taiwanese director 孙树培 Sun ShuPei (creator of Vicki Chao Wei’s “Little Swallow”) is personally taking on role of Director. Thunderchild is another high point in his creative career. He wants to make her out to be the “new female personality” 个性女侠. RO is currently filming in Shanxi. Will it be another ratings miracle like “My Fair Princess” in its time?

STAR N HIT, JHJ's MANAGEMENT COMPANY IN SKOREA POSTED A MESSAGE ON JHJ's KOREAN OFFICIAL WEBSITE ON 2011.09.07

Hello!

This is Star N Hit.

Greetings after a long while.

Here to convey some news of JHJ.

First, as all of you know, JHJ is now in China filming a Chinese drama.

Received a lot of love calls from China. This time came across fine production team and actors, so decided to work together.

This drama is produced by Shanghai New Culture Co. Scheduled to be shown around February next year on China’s Hunan TV, and will also be televised at the same time in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other places. (Comment: There you are - we finally have a TV Station, countries where RO will premiere, and estimated airing schedule.)

Director, scriptwriter, and actors are all influential in China and cooperate very well with JHJ. Atmosphere on set is very pleasant.

Through production company’s website and other blogs, you can get some idea of on-site shooting.

If we receive any precise information from Chinese production unit, we’ll report and release it ASAP.

Because it’s overseas shooting, we were at first somewhat concerned and worried. But due to cooperation of the production team and other actors, there’s nothing to worry about in the shooting environment.

Also fans’ support gives us strength during shooting.

After the completion of this Chinese drama, news of Korean project will be announced ASAP.

As you know, I’ve been shooting a drama in China, and I have come back to South Korea to relax.

Haven’t had home cooking for a long time; it’s really delicious ^ ^ Return to find you’ve sent me gifts – thank you so much!.

Let me tell you a little about life in China. At the beginning there were some difficulties because of language problems and different shooting environments. Surprisingly my Chinese co-stars are all very considerate. The Director, Scriptwriter, etc. all gave me a lot of help. The production team is full of friendly, nice people. So shooting is very smooth and comfortable.

Also, not long ago Chinese fans came to visit on set. So, thanks to you all, I’m adjusting very well. Food is palatable, everything is hassle-free, and I’m doing well ^ ^

After a few days’ leave I’m going back to China to continue shooting again. Will keep you posted about my latest activities.

Thank you so much for supporting me, wherever I am.

Take care, everybody, and be happy!

credit: original message in Korean from http://www.johyunjae.com; English translation by wuliJOHYUNJAE at http://jo-hyun-jae.com. Thanks!

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- RO cast includes actors from South Korea, Hongkong, Taiwan, and Mainland China.

- The cast members deliver their lines in their respective native language (i.e. JHJ speaks in Korean, Danny Lee from HongKong speaks in Cantonese, all actors from Mainland China deliver their lines in standard Chinese/Mandarin/putonghua). JHJ, so as not to be a burden to the other actors, had the whole script translated to Korean and memorizes the lines of everyone who are in a scene with him. This was revealed by Chinese actress Liang Li in her blog entry.

- The drama will air around the Chinese New Year next year and will air simultaneously in Mainland China, Taiwan and HongKong.

- Actual filming will last 3 months. Filming started last August 10, expected to end by 1st week of November.

- a BIAO JU is a Safeguard Escort Agency. They are a protection agency for hire to safeguard the transportation of goods across China. In the early days of the Republic of China after 1911, there was a lot of lawlessness in the land, with bandits attacking convoys on trade routes, so merchants hire these BIAO JU to provide safe passage for their goods and themselves.

- Explanation of WuKui's name from one of the scriptwriters: Regarding the name of WuKui 武魁 (the name of JHJ's character in RO), that’s because his father hopes his son will be the greatest martial arts master 武功盖世 and leader of the world of martial arts 武林魁首. But this boy has been physically weak from childhood, so cannot practise kungfu, but he is extremely intelligent, so after he has grown up, even though he can’t fight, he can use his wit to overcome a lot of people.

- RO has 2 editors, a husband-and-wife team

- Ge DeGang is a famous artist in Mainland China, specializing in a form of folk art called 相声 (loosely translated as comic dialogues.) He is also a TV actor and TV talk show host. In RO he plays a monk who is also a kung fu expert. He will become WuKui's kung fu teacher.

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Above photo is start-of-shooting ceremony on August 10 — at Yuci, near Taiyuan 榆次（太原附近. JHJ did not make it [delayed by bad weather on arrival in Beijing on Aug.9, would have been on his way to Yuci on morning of Aug.10.] Present among the main cast (from left): Wang JinDou (#2 actor), Yang Zi (#1 actress) and Chen ZiYan (#2 actress). Man in white shirt and baseball cap is the director.

More pictures from start-of-shooting ceremony:

Village in Shanxi where RO is filming. Shanxi is a province in Northern China. The name literally translates as "Mountain's West", referring to its location west of the Taihang Mountains.

太谷曹家大院——三多堂博物館 Taigu Cao Courtyard – Sam Duo Hall Museum. This will serve as the Xiao (JHJ's family) Family Residence in the drama. The Xin Yi Biao Ju is also located here, therefore many scenes will take place in this location.

Group picture of RO main cast taken during filming of the wedding of WuKui (JHJ) and Princess (Chen ZiYan)

Mid-Autumn Festival Dinner celebration for RO cast and crew. JHJ not in picture because he flew back to SKorea earlier that day to spend Chuseok with his family.

Nobleman's house.

View from NObleman's house?

Hu DaCheng [on right] and his followers taking a sneak peek at Master WuKui (the child WK, not the adult) practising martial arts. Little WuKui is born weak [Chinese - no strength to tie a chicken]. He tries to swing a fist-size stone lock a couple of times and falls down – to great laughter.

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The Chinese actress Liang Li wrote a long article on her blog about ROUGE OVERLORD on September 23 .

This drama started shooting in Shanxi on August 10. After more than a month of extra tense overload shooting, the whole production team is left with two words: “tired” and “sleepy”.

To me the greatest obstacle in shooting this drama is language problems. JHJ speaks Korean, Danny Lee speaks Cantonese, and I speak Mandarin (putonghua). Not only do we have to remember our own lines, we also have to remember the others’ lines. Since 80% of my scenes are with them, my workload has increased a lot.

Actually, even though we don’t understand one another at all while acting, we are doing a great job and make everybody on set laugh heartily. This is really international cultural exchange; looks like art has no national boundaries!

JHJ is the second Korean actor I have worked with. His professionalism and modesty leave a very good impression on me. Poor JHJ has to have the drama dialogues translated into conversational Korean and memorize them all. He has done this very well so as not to be a burden to others. After more than a month, he has become tired beyond recognition. [ED: the Chinese actually says 鼻青臉腫 - we hope this is an exaggeration.]

To thank him for his contribution to Chinese/Korean cultural exchange, I have given him a Chinese painting I did specially for him – to let him remember Chinese scenery and to tell him the Chinese like him and welcome him to China!

Credit: http://blog.sina.com.cn; www.johyunjae.hk; English translation by wulijohyunjae at http://jo-hyun-jae.com. Thanks!

Recently, Yang Zi are large shifts inspirational costume drama "Rouge King", played by Ray divine girl child, she has suffered a rapid horse, the horse was left behind after chasing down and get run all over, not only that she also show a microblogging play with super powers in a small velvet chicken, the chicken god is said to only be able to hit a big man.

The shooting for Yang Zi suffered terribly, not only for the first time to leave their parents alone to deep forests, and go into battle and play from the "hit woman", riding the play has become a major problem, but she was not afraid. In a scene in a horse riding, Yang Zi not only fell off from the horse, but also to be chasing horses run down her sweat a few breathless, but not this he looks happy. In addition to god Malaysia, the ability to play the super-Yang Zi chicks have been holding in the palm of the hand, this chick and she was struck by lightning as a power with a huge, little one will be able to hit a big man down, was knocked down boyfriend who is played by Zhao Lei children were slaughtered, the South Korean big brother is off screen on Yang Zi care, play is actually a "protected object" mine children often "beauty to save the hero."

In the TV series "Rouge King" play the leading role to play in the first actress Yang Zi, as their adult for the first transformation, Yang Zi of "Ray children," this role is like, shooting rest, she shared with the fans in the mood microblogging "I hope every time memories, do not feel guilty for living. another good day, mine the role of children always give me too much of this surprise and joy, so innocent, for friends, lovers, relatives then turning back, the world would like to so beautiful, even if the injury was never complain about too black and blue, her face is always smiling, I would like her. ". Nver Shen Lei Although there are children born with infinite divine power, by nature upright, but simply break.

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wow.. he must be lonely all by himself in China filming.. with nobody to talk to...

JHJ fighting!!

hi, fallentenshi, welcome to the thread! Yeah, he must be feeling lonely. But according to his Chinese co-stars he is adjusting well and he is learning Chinese (putonghua/Mandarin). In fact, they are quite amazed at his progress with the language. Lately, his conversations are half chinese (complete with correct intonation) and half korean. It also helps that his co-stars/co-workers are very friendly and accommodating for the most part.

From Jack Li (AKA Li JunBo)(In reply to a JHJ fan): Yes, JHJ is really super good, very easy-going. Even though we have language obstacles, they do not obstruct our communication at all. 00:42

From Yang Zi: Good morning, everyone! Start work! 05:59

From Assistant Director Assistant: Don’t know what Director Chen ate last night that caused diarrhea. Can’t get up even now. Early this morning I went to buy glutinous rice and apple to make congee for him — preparing it now. This morning Dumb Wolf [Wang JinDuo] is late for make-up because he also has a bad stomach …. You can imagine! 08:55

From Minor Actor B (In reply to a JHJ fan): JHJ is very curious about everything he has not seen before. He looks so cute! A few days ago he was like a kid when he kept shaking that fig tree …. 10:02

From Yang Zi: So it’s this little chick that knocked down my husband (as a child) in drama! Let me examine its magic strength! 12:25

From YaYa: Set out already, black sportswear, very sunny, condition not bad, hair handsome. 14:42

Note: We only translated above - verbatim - because we suspect he/she is writing about you-know-who (JHJ). That's the way most of these tweeters write -- no subject!

From Liang Li: When I presented my painting to Ge DeGang a couple of days ago, Shanxi’s weather was unusually fine. Big shot coming on stage, even the Heavens have to give him “face”. I’m one of Ge DeGang’s fans too. 15:23

From Staff: Today our Thunder pretty girl and Wolfman got so tired and dusty. Also Thunder pretty girl was pretty good on a horse. WuKui also got blown but no dust, just moved his hair. 19:25

From Ge ZiMing: A whole day of shooting fighting on horseback, so tired! 20:05

From Make-up Artist: Very busy these few days, so didn’t come to Weibo. After I finish styling WuKui’s hair, I have to go to location — that horrible village. Hope it won’t rain today, otherwise we’ll all get muddy from slipping. 09:17

From Staff: Shooting in the countryside, drizzling, can smell the wild grass in the air. 12:02

From Liang Li: Finally returned to Xian, drizzling here. Good to be home! Let me be happy for a few days. 12:39

From JHJ's Interpreter: Had curry rice for lunch. Our manager [JHJ's Manager?] made it; he actually used 8 different ingredients. So tasty! But I’m supposed to lose weight, so are you trying to sabotage me? 12:43

Got a cold. These two days we’ve (JHJ and interpreter) been with B Team; today we’re with A Team and everybody asks: You’ve got a cold? Their concern warms my heart. Can’t be sick, must get well soon. 12:47

From Staff: Today shooting in West Kiln, raining, mountain roads very slippery, shooting will be delayed. 12:54

From Chen ZiYan: Good morning. Fainted [slept] for 3 hours, rise to get ready to fight another day. Let’s infect one another with our ‘flu …. 06:11

From Yang Zi: A girl with a smile on her face and in her heart should not have any bad luck. Happy day has arrived, get ready to fight! 06:50

From Yang Zi: Today it’s very cold on location. Oct.1 [National Day in China] is coming – lots of firecrackers coupled with noise of trains and plans flying overhead – terrible for simultaneous recording. Have to ride a horse later. Little black horse, here I come! 09:28

From Recording Engineer: Another day of martial arts shooting – boring! 09:31

From Yang Guang:

This guy Hu’s gun accidentally discharged and killed his boss, and he’s scared out of his wits! Hu DaCheng tired to comfort him, never dreaming that in the end it is this heartless guy who forced him to commit suicide.

11:06

From Staff: Taiyuan is so cold! It’s the start of winter. 12:30

From Wan Yao: Shooting one scene after another! 14:30

(Ha!Ha! I saw this line in script: “WuKui, laughing and shaking his head, tries to escape, and the two of them chase one another laughing” — referring to WK and the Princess?)

From Recording Engineer: After waking up from sleep recorded just 4 lines. Going back to sleep. 14:33

From Raynold: Nobleman’s manor looks very pretty today. 14:58

From JHJ's Interpreter: Tomorrow is the October 1 long weekend, but I can’t rest for even a day. 17:11

From Yang Zi: With the sound of firecrackers I wrap up work. Happy October 1, everyone! Those who are still on set, hang on! Fighting! 00:03

From JHJ's Interpreter: Finished? We were guessing just now whether the sound of firecrackers came from the studio. 00:12

From Wang JinDuo: Happy National Day, everyone! 06:22

From Ge ZiMing: Happy National Day to my friends! 07:14

From Staff: Heard neither team has night shooting – happy! 09:41

From JHJ's Interpreter: We have a great team — some act seriously, some translate seriously, some assist seriously. With everyone’s support, believe will have good results. Wish everyone happiness on National Day! 10:41

Additional wedding photos of WuKui and Princess:

Princess standing near sedan chair; Thunderchild standing at the top of the stairs; but where is our WuKui?

There, found our WuKui.... standing with Thunderchild and Princess near sedan chair.

Lunch break!!!

From Ge ZiMing: Fight scenes between Dumb Wolf and me are the fiercest, finally finished after 4 days. Last night finished at 10-something and immediately went to sleep – too tired! 11:43

From Li ShiCheng: Mad Wolf Sun JiaoLong 12:54

From Li ShiCheng: Yang Zi and JHJ 13:23

Finally!!! Another photo of WuKui and THunderchild in a scene together...

From Wei: JHJ photo 15:37

From Staff: Happiness is finishing work early! 17:46

From JHJ's Interpreter: Even though I have to work on National Day, I get to ride a horse – not bad! 18:35

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Looking forward to the airing of tghis drama, after JHJ conquers Philippine Television...We Hope to watch this also in our country.

Welcome to the RO thread, gukseon! Thank you for your support of JHJ and his Chinese drama. Me too - excited for this drama to air! Based on the tweets, this drama is turning out to be more intriguing than I initially thought. Another month of filming left. How I wish there is a way we can fast forward to February 2012

Right photo, the guy whose head is covered with a ball of light is JHJ

Additional photos from JHJ's Chinese fans who visited him at the RO set last September 25:

TWEETS:

From Wan Yao: Just starting work; bumped into WuKui who is finishing. 01:07

From JHJ's Interpreter: Cameraman Jie is so patient. I’m always too caught up in translating and keep forgetting where I should stand, and then suddenly I’d realize I’m obstructing Jie’s lens, but he always says smilingly: “No problem.” 22:41

Additional photos posted on weibo:

posted at around 2 pm

This is Hu DaCheng (right-hand man of Xiao DingBang (WuKui's father). His muscled body scares me; actually he's one of the good guys in the drama...